Our Mission
Ensure all Micro NGOs can operate without worries.
Over the years, Dreamers had visited more than 3,000 Micro NGOs across Taiwan, gaining an in-depth understanding of their services and challenges. This has led to the establishment of its mission: “To ensure all Micro NGOs can operate without worries.”
Our Role
Supporter of Micro NGOs.
Founded in 2012, Dreamers is Taiwan’s first nonprofit focusing on Micro NGOs.
Dreamers leverages innovative technology and business strategies to drive philanthropy, offering free support to Micro NGOs in fundraising, marketing, accounting, and community building.
Our Culture
Innovative Technology and
Business Thinking in Philanthropy.
Commitment to Learning,
Growth, and Positive Impact.
100 Dollars, 100% Impact.
Dreamers absorbs all advertising, transaction, and processing fees associated with fundraising efforts, ensuring 100% of donor contributions go directly to Micro NGOs. If the funds raised fall short, Dreamers steps in to bridge the gap, enabling stable operations for Micro NGOs.
#Small Workforce
#Deep Local Engagement
#Mission-Driven Passion
Across Taiwan, there are over 10,000 Micro NGOs quietly operating in every corner of our society, providing essential care and support to underserved populations.
These organizations are labeled “Micro” because they typically function with an average of just two full-time staff members. Despite their small size, they dedicate themselves to delivering the most genuine and heartfelt services to their clients.
Micro NGOs are scattered throughout Taiwan, each deeply rooted in their local communities. Examples of their impactful work include:
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Running after-school programs for disadvantaged children in remote areas.
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Caring for stray animals in secluded mountain regions.
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Providing meals and companionship to isolated seniors.
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Supporting individuals with disabilities on their journey to independence.
By immersing themselves in their local contexts, these organizations gain a profound understanding of the challenges faced by vulnerable populations and tailor their efforts to meet these needs effectively.
What Are Micro NGOs?
Challenges Faced by Micro NGOs
Over-Concentration of Donations
Micro NGOs face significant challenges in fundraising. Unlike larger, more established organizations, they lack visibility and dedicated personnel for marketing and advertising. As a result, they often remain unknown to the public, making it difficult to secure donations. Some Micro NGOs founders even resort to extreme measures, such as selling their houses or cars to sustain their operations and services.
The 2021 report by the Association of Philanthropic Accountability and RIGHT PLUS revealed a stark disparity: the top 6% of NPOs absorbed over 81% of donations, leaving the remaining 94% to compete for just 19% of resources. Micro NGOs are often excluded from these statistics entirely, highlighting the severity of their funding struggles.
Staffing Shortages and Limited Benefits
Micro NGOs operate with minimal human resources, leaving workers isolated and without support. These challenges are compounded by low salaries and limited benefits, making it difficult for staff to maintain their well-being while dedicating themselves to serving others.
Dreamers aims to address these issues by helping Micro NGOs secure funding and providing various forms of logistical support. Furthermore, Dreamers is committed to advocating for respect and recognition for social workers, ensuring they receive the appreciation they deserve for their vital contributions.
Types of Micro NGOs
Micro NGOs categorized based on the groups they serve.
Vulnerable Children and Youths
Supporting children and youth in remote areas, early intervention programs, vulnerable families, or those with disabilities, rare diseases, hearing impairments, or vision impairments.
Middle-Aged Individuals in Crisis
Providing emergency assistance to families and supporting individuals with disabilities, rare diseases, multiple illnesses, or caregiving responsibilities.
Isolated Seniors
Caring for seniors who live alone, face economic hardship, suffer from chronic illnesses, or fall into marginalized groups, as well as advocating for senior health issues.
Abandoned Animals
Ensuring proper care and support for stray animals.
Services Provided by Dreamers
Fundraising Support
Many Micro NGOs are based in remote areas and lack public visibility, making independent fundraising a significant challenge. Dreamers has assisted over 700 Micro NGOs with fundraising efforts, absorbing all associated costs, such as advertising, transaction, and processing fees. This support has enabled Micro NGOs to provide stable services to over 190,000 individuals in need.
Operational Support
With limited hands on deck, besides frontline caregivers, most Micro NGOs lack administrative and logistical staff. To address this, Dreamers collaborates with professional partners across industries, including accounting, legal consultation, and graphic design. This “professionals doing good” model has delivered over 450 instances of service support, empowering Micro NGOs to focus on their core missions.
Community Building
Leaders of Micro NGOs often feel isolated, with few avenues for seeking support. Since 2022, Dreamers has hosted the annual Micro NGO Year-End Banquet, fostering connection and collaboration among organizations. By April 2024, this initiative had grown to include over 100 local gatherings, 3 year-end banquet celebrations, and regional exchange trips, creating opportunities for mutual encouragement and shared learning.
Community Building Events
Local Gatherings
Micro NGO Year-End Banquet
Dreamers’ On-Site Visits
Dreamers conducts rigorous on-site visits to Micro NGOs to ensure accountability and verify the authenticity of their operations. This hands-on approach ensures that the services provided align with the mission of empowering Micro NGOs to succeed.
